Euhemerism
The euhemerism is a theory hermeneutics interpretation of myths created by Euhemerus (about BC IV) In his Hiera anagrafe (Sacred History)Of which only a few remaining abstracts, and, according to which the gods are no more than historical figures of a dark past, amplified by a tradition of fantasy and legendary.
The hidden meaning of myths is therefore historical in nature and society. This theory would be accepted by the philosopher David Hume and VoltaireWho wrote Dialogues with Euhemerus. But the work of Euhemerus lost and is known only by his commentators (particularly Diodorus of Sicily).
In fact, since the sophist Prodicus of Ceos maintained the same, said that the gods are men or things that were important in antiquity, so it came to be deified.
CiceroIn its On the nature of the gods (2, 24-25) and About Divination (2, 37), to interpret the myths employs both allegory as euhemerism.
Both streams are also found in Etymologies (7, 11) a free medieval St. Isidore.
Doctors of Church used euhemerism and allegorical theory to disqualify the beliefs of paganism, Although they refrained from applying this doctrine to their own beliefs.
